New service pack for Windows 7 has features to improve RDP clients. The RemoteFX coming out intended to juice up the clients with high fidelity (ie rich media) experience. Wyse and HP both said they will support it.
Microsoft has announced Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Although a release timeline was not provided, the company said the upgrades will focus on virtualization, including both a new dynamic memory allocation feature for servers and multimedia-centric "RemoteFX" improvements to RDP (remote desktop protocol).
Posting on Microsoft's Windows Blog, Communications Manager Brandon LeBlanc characterized the forthcoming Windows 7 SP1 as mostly providing "only minor updates, among which are previous updates that are already delivered through Windows Update." But, he adds, one key feature will be an updated Remote Desktop client, adopting a set of multimedia-centric enhancements collectively known as RemoteFX.
The forthcoming SP1 of Windows Server 2008 R2 will also support RemoteFX, LeBlanc adds, and will add a new Dynamic Memory feature to the operating system's Hyper-V virtualization technology. It's said that with Dynamic Memory, administrators will no longer need to assign a static amount of memory to each virtual machine, potentially wasting resources. Instead, Hyper-V will pool all the memory available on a physical host and dynamically distribute it as required.
More about RemoteFX
According to a separate posting by Max Herrmann on the Windows Virtualization Product Group blog, RemoteFX stems from Microsoft's 2008 acquisition of Calista Technologies. Rather than being a new standalone product, RemoteFX describes a set of enhancements -- most prominently graphics virtualization and the use of advanced codecs -- that is being added to RDP, he explains.
Microsoft claims that with RemoteFX, users will be able to access virtualized workspaces remotely using thin clients, PCs, and other devices "with the fidelity of a local-like performance." The technology will support the Windows Aero desktop environment, full-motion video, 3D, plus Silverlight and Flash applications, the company promises.
Herrmann says RemoteFX will also support "certain" OpenGL applications. As development is still ongoing, it is too early to provide further specifics, he adds.
RemoteFX's capabilities resemble those already touted for Citrix's HDX technology, offered as part of its XenDesktop and XenApp products. Microsoft says it has allied with Citrix "to enable the high-definition HDX technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the ... RemoteFX platform," but did not offer further details.
In an article for The Register, Timothy Prickett Morgan suggests that HDX will be modified to incorporate RemoteFX, making use of its capabilities when available. RemoteFX will be used on servers and end points working over a corporate LAN, but HDX will be used for devices hooking into virtual desktops from other networks, he theorizes.
Gordon Payne, senior vice president and general manager of Citrix's desktop division, stated, "By joining forces in desktop virtualization, Citrix and Microsoft can provide customers of all sizes with groundbreaking solutions that are profoundly simpler, richer and more cost-effective. Today's announcements mark a historic milestone in our 20-year relationship that will dramatically simplify desktop computing for years to come."
Separately, both HP and Wyse pledged support for RemoteFX and said they will produce thin clients incorporating it. Curt Schwebke, Wyse's chief technology officer, stated, "With the Wyse support for RemoteFX, users will benefit from a full, rich media experience while maintaining the energy (Green IT), TCO and security benefits of a VDI environment across multiple client solutions. The combination of these benefits is yet another reason that we see thin clients -- paired with cloud computing and virtual desktops -- becoming the standard for business large and small."
Windows 7's XP mode is now more accessible
In a separate Windows Blog posting, Microsoft's LeBlanc announced an immediately available update to Windows 7 that will make the operating system's Windows XP Mode more accessible to small and midsize businesses. Moving forward, Windows XP mode will no longer require hardware virtualization technology such as Intel's VT and AMD's AMD-V, though it will still employ this when present.
Windows XP mode is available for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. Designed for small and midsize businesses, it allows Windows 7 to emulate Windows XP Professional SP3, allowing otherwise incompatible applications to run, the company says.
Further information
The postings by Brandon LeBlanc mentioned in this story can be found on the Windows blog, here and here. Max Herrmann's posting about RemoteFX may be found here.
Timothy Prickett Morgan's item for The Register may be found here.
A "Desktop Virtualization Hour" webcast featuring relevant presentations by Microsoft and Citrix officials can be found here.
What is RemoteFX anyway...
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